Xmas Surprise - X3 Albion Prelude - Now available on Steam!

[greypanther]

I guess I can accept and agree with what your saying, it would be logical. However its also a perfect marketing experiment. After all as far as I remember, Egosoft have not decided 100% whether or not, Rebirth will have full Steamworks intergration. If AP has sold very well, I would say that is then a dead cert.

As I have said elsewhere on this forum, its like fighting the tide: pointless. Steam and the Cloud are coming.

I would just have liked to been able to play AP and Rebirth away from an internet connection for extended periods.

Ah well, who am I to stand in the way, ( get steamrollered ) of the glorious future the movers and shakers have in store for us? I am nothing, irrelevent.

Mods please forgive this off topic interuption. I will stop now. Honest.

[NeverSnake]

I can't recall EA or Activision ever giving a game away completely free.

Wolf:ET.

Also, didn't EA release a BF1942 mod for one of their later battlefield games?

As I have said elsewhere on this forum, its like fighting the tide: pointless. Steam and the Cloud are coming.

Hardly, if anything it's going to be an uphill struggle for valve at this point now that the big guns are being brought into play (e.g. the US giant Gamestop buying up Impulse and their Impulse reactor technology recently).

Although steam has got just as much to fear from OnLive and the other cloud based services as everyone else. Gaming is one area where cloud-based services are clearly ahead of the alternative home server model. Although that won't be for quite a few years yet, we need much faster connections first.


I've just had a happy thought, egosoft have removed the DRMs from their previous games a few patches in so assuming they do the same with AP it shouldn't be long before I can play it steamworks free! I've no problem buying and downloading through steam, it's just the steam client's bad behavior and unwanted interference that annoys me.

Now I'm off to check how long it was between release and DRM removal for X3R and X3TC, I guess it'll be after rebirth's release but better late than never .

EDIT: X2, X3:R and X3:TC have all had DRM removed after about a year, that'll be a nice christmas present for next year then.

[Slashman]

Now I'm off to check how long it was between release and DRM removal for X3R and X3TC, I guess it'll be after rebirth's release but better late than never Very Happy.

EDIT: X2, X3:R and X3:TC have all had DRM removed after about a year, that'll be a nice christmas present for next year then.

I wouldn't get my hopes up for that.

Steamworks integration is the one form of DRM I have never seen patched out. It doesn't limit installs or do disc checks unlike Tages or Securom.

I also presume that the pricing model is more favorable to the publisher because Steam itself is the integrated storefront and update platform for the game.

Just saying...

[StarTroll]

Although this conversation about Steam(works) is quite constructive and actually pleasant, which is quite rare these days, I think we should stop here, or we'll bring about a new unwelcome topic locker. Just my 2 cents mind you

BTW, if I haven't already said it, thanks Egosoft for this great christmas gift. Started just a little bit but from the start we seem a little invovled in the schemes of the universe, which feels nice.

[WhiteStar1]

I have the disc version of X3TC. Will the steam version work with it? I really prefer buying the disc so when will it be released on disc?

[Cycrow]

u need a steam copy of TC to be able to get AP, but you can register your dvd copy with steam, so you dont have to buy it again.

theres no release date yet for the disc version

[GCU Grey Area]

I have the disc version of X3TC. Will the steam version work with it? I really prefer buying the disc so when will it be released on disc?

According to this release date for the disk version is 24th February 2012.

[Morkonan]

Will there be a North American hardcopy (Disk) release of AP or the War Bundle/Add-on?

[WhiteStar1]

u need a steam copy of TC to be able to get AP, but you can register your dvd copy with steam, so you dont have to buy it again.

theres no release date yet for the disc version

Thanks a lot mate. It works and I now have a steam download of TC and AP. Took less than the 8 hours, didn't have to space to get by the clean install copy to shorten the DL time.

Another questio about steam version. Can I install the scripts and bonus packages for TC to the steam AP folder? Or is that a big no no and I have to wait for all packs to comes from the steam client?

You have been a great help to me since I started playing Reunion back in 2004 or so. I have made great use of your scripts and would sadly miss them if I cant continue to use them.

[Slashman]

AFAIK the released bonus packs for AP all work. They can't be downloaded from Steam though. You get them from this website.

Any other mod or script you use with AP which isn't part of the bonus content release, you may need to check with the mod/script author to verify that they work with AP.

[Cycrow]

there are bonus packs available for both TC and AP. THe AP one is had more in it however.

they just install manually to the steam directory. Just make sure you select the correct path (it should hopefully be detected automatically)

althou technically the TC one should work in AP, its better to use the AP version, as its better anyways

[Arach666]

Got it last week and already have over 20h of playtime lol,so good.

[ThommoHawk]

So now I've decided to get Albion Prelude off steam. (I already had a steam account because of Napoleon Total War, and had never gone back once the game was activated...), but despite what I said earlier, I am too curious about AP to wait for the retail copy to come out.

So registering my X-Superbox was quick and easy. Prior to that I had made a copy of My X3 TC which went into the Steam/SteamApps/Common directory. Now I have been waiting since 2:16 pm (atm at my location it is 6:37 pm). And looks like there is still 2 hours left to go.

So while I am waiting I have a question about my copy of X3 TC which I now have in my steam directory: iirc it is X3TC v.3.0, and does already have the bonus pack patch installed. Is this going to be a problem? I have a 'pristine' copy somewhere on my HD which would be without the bonus pack probably. (I usually make one immediatley after installing off the DVD as a quick backup.

Edit: it is now 8:44 pm and the download is at 81%. I really really hope that XR will have a retail box out because I really don't like these long downloads. (and all the things that can go wrong during such long periods of time online... my connection dropped out twice...)

Another Edit: After pausing the download last night to switch off my PC and Broadband (forgot to note the time, but it was very late, I have recommenced the download.) Still waiting, at 83% downloaded. This just Albion Prelude. Not any of the other X games. Except Steam also has X3TC listed for download for some reason (paused) despite my unchecking all the other games. The speed is between 56/kbs and 80/kbs.

I prefer the simplicity and speed of just installing from a DVD. This sucks... but I want to see the game.... I really really hope Egosoft will have a retail box for XR.

Also Steam seems to have had a security hack which I found out about while waiting, waiting, downloading, downloading, waiting, sheesh.... maybe I should call this little bit of post here as my download nightmare journal or something...

Final Edit: at last - 1:45pm the download finished and I was able to start the game. byebyenow....

[StarTroll]

Edit: it is now 8:44 pm and the download is at 81%. I really really hope that XR will have a retail box out because I really don't like these long downloads. (and all the things that can go wrong during such long periods of time online... my connection dropped out twice...)

It will

So while I am waiting I have a question about my copy of X3 TC which I now have in my steam directory: iirc it is X3TC v.3.0, and does already have the bonus pack patch installed. Is this going to be a problem? I have a 'pristine' copy somewhere on my HD which would be without the bonus pack probably. (I usually make one immediatley after installing off the DVD as a quick backup.

It should work without a hitch, but you would either need a savegame manager or to manually copy them back and forth since both games use the same fodler.
Also you could have made your D/L much easier. Simply copy your already installed copy of X3 TC in the Steam directory with the proper name and the start the D/L. It would check the already present files then add what needs to be + AP.

[Hachiman]

Finally home and ready to take a look at Albion,,, Installed a virgin copy of X-tc ...Have opened a 'Steam' account have my Superbox at hand ...What next ?...... Give us a clue!!!...... Hachiman is old and grey and needs assitance

[X2-Illuminatus]

In case you have the retail version of the Superbox:

1. Register the Community key of the Superbox with Steam. For reference see the first steps of FAQ article How do I register my DVD release of X3TC with Steam? The Community key can be found on the back of a little booklet in the Superbox.
   If the code isn't accepted, check if you might have confused a letter with a number (or vice versa). The key is often printed a little bit unclear. So, a '2' could look like a 'Z', an 'S' like '5' and so on.
2. After registering the Superbox with Steam you should have all the games of the Superbox (including X3: Albion Prelude) in your Games Library in Steam. If that isn't the case, exit and restart the Steam client.
3. Create an X3TC installation over Steam. In the FAQ article linked above you also find a note, how you can shorten the necessary Download process considerably by copying your retail installation.
4. After the Download process of X3TC is finished, go to your Games library in Steam, do a right click on the X3: Albion Prelude entry and select the option to install the game.

[StarTroll]

In case you have the retail version of the Superbox:

1. Register the Community key of the Superbox with Steam. For reference see the first steps of FAQ article How do I register my DVD release of X3TC with Steam? The Community key can be found on the back of a little booklet in the Superbox.
   If the code isn't accepted, check if you might have confused a letter with a number (or vice versa). The key is often printed a little bit unclear. So, a '2' could look like a 'Z', an 'S' like '5' and so on.
2. After registering the Superbox with Steam you should have all the games of the Superbox (including X3: Albion Prelude) in your Games Library in Steam. If that isn't the case, exit and restart the Steam client.
3. Create an X3TC installation over Steam. In the FAQ article linked above you also find a note, how you can shorten the necessary Download process considerably by copying your retail installation.
4. After the Download process of X3TC is finished, go to your Games library in Steam, do a right click on the X3: Albion Prelude entry and select the option to install the game.

On that note, if Steam doesn't recognise your key as valid (in the case it is properly written), it might be because ofo some server problems on their side, especialy in times of events like the recent winter event. in that case try again later or maybe change the server in your Steam settings.

[Hachiman]

In case you have the retail version of the Superbox:

1. Register the Community key of the Superbox with Steam. For reference see the first steps of FAQ article How do I register my DVD release of X3TC with Steam? The Community key can be found on the back of a little booklet in the Superbox.
   If the code isn't accepted, check if you might have confused a letter with a number (or vice versa). The key is often printed a little bit unclear. So, a '2' could look like a 'Z', an 'S' like '5' and so on.
2. After registering the Superbox with Steam you should have all the games of the Superbox (including X3: Albion Prelude) in your Games Library in Steam. If that isn't the case, exit and restart the Steam client.
3. Create an X3TC installation over Steam. In the FAQ article linked above you also find a note, how you can shorten the necessary Download process considerably by copying your retail installation.
4. After the Download process of X3TC is finished, go to your Games library in Steam, do a right click on the X3: Albion Prelude entry and select the option to install the game.

Exactly what I was needing,many thanks....

quick update,,,, Downloads done,all seems okay..I now have Albion Prelude downloaded and have my first savegame as 'nostalgic argon'...A beat up old Buster with a pair of IRE's and a whopping 1000 creds in the bank !...Having been this route numerous times I may visit the S & M forum and get myself a little **modified**

Already had a copy of Xtc,just bought the 'Superbox'as a way of a thank you to Egosoft for all the hours of fun I've had all these years in the X world... Nice little bonus this....

[Sblade]

Now I'm off to check how long it was between release and DRM removal for X3R and X3TC, I guess it'll be after rebirth's release but better late than never Very Happy.

EDIT: X2, X3:R and X3:TC have all had DRM removed after about a year, that'll be a nice christmas present for next year then.

I wouldn't get my hopes up for that.

Steamworks integration is the one form of DRM I have never seen patched out. It doesn't limit installs or do disc checks unlike Tages or Securom.

I also presume that the pricing model is more favorable to the publisher because Steam itself is the integrated storefront and update platform for the game.

Just saying...

You have never seen that and you do assume for that reason that can´t be done?

As far as I know the executables are coded first and wrapped after being coded, so avoiding the DRM is easy.

Be sure that if ES wants to patch any game without DRM, it can be done.

[strude]

Steamworks integration is the one form of DRM I have never seen patched out.

As far as I know the executables are coded first and wrapped after being coded, so avoiding the DRM is easy.

If Steam DRM is the only integration then it's possible that it's that simple. However it's also possible that references to the Steam API for features such as achievements, Steam overlay, error reporting, etc may need to be removed in order to completely remove the Steam connection, and that could be significantly more work.

(Edit to fix bad quote)